Anas Sarwar says 'no complacency' in Labour as party aims for 'significant gains' in Scotland

Anas Sarwar has insisted there is "no hint of complacency" in Labour as it stands on the brink of an historic comeback in Scotland.

Polls suggest the party stands to win multiple seats from the SNP when voters go to the polls on Thursday.

The Scottish Labour leader acknowledged today "momentum is with us" but would not put a figure on how many constituencies he hoped to win north of the Border.

Speaking to the Record on a campaign stop in Gourock, he said: "There is no internal complacency. When you have been in the Labour party the last 14 years, you don't have room for complacency. We've seen the negative consequences of that.

"Let's not forget where we're coming from in this election campaign. In 2019 we had our worst result since 1910. In Scotland, we're coming from fourth place to try and form a majority Labour government. So there is no hint of complacency.

"What we have to guard against is a very deliberate attempt by both the SNP and the Tories to try and say this election is one you don't need to use your vote, and if you do use your vote, you can use it as a protest.

"If you want to make sure we get rid of the Tories, if you want to make sure you end 14 years of division and decay and decline, if you want a Labour government and Scotland to be at the heart of it, you have to use your vote for Scottish Labour."

Asked what a good result for Scottish Labour would be, Sarwar replied: "I want us to make significant gains. I've never put an arbitrary target on it.

"I've got an old fashioned view the more people you persuade to vote for you in an election, the more votes you win, the more seats you win."

"We have made immense progress, but our feet are on the ground. Hard work, humility and energy over the next two days will hopefully get us over the line and deliver that Labour government."

Asked if he would be disappointed if Labour failed to win most seats in Scotland, he added: "It's clear the momentum is with us and it's clear we're the party of change, it's clear we're the ones with the positive message.

"The only people more depressed at the thought of the Tories losing office, even more than the Tories themselves, is John Swinney and the SNP. They are totally out of touch on this one. Scots are desperate to see the back of this Tory government and Labour is ready to deliver it."

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